Vindicated

Prologue: That Fade Kiss

It had been a long time since Solas had been with a woman.

It was the only explanation he could find for his reaction to the Inquisitor- a response so powerful that he felt the urge to flee. Perplexed by his lack of discipline, Solas stared intently at the elven woman, wondering why her mere presence was enough to ignite such a raging heat within him.

She was undeniably lovely, with her soft green eyes that reminded him of the first day of spring, and skin so fair it was delicate to touch. When he saw her, her hair was piled into a loose bun atop her head, and he imagined removing the pins holding each strand in place and running his fingers through its silky mass.

She wasn't the first woman he'd found attractive, and she wouldn't be the last. He'd met plenty of women who'd caught his eye. Yet none of them possessed a quality that suppressed physical beauty - a hint of passion contained beneath her cool exterior. And it was that passion that drew him in like a drug-infused dream, one he couldn't escape even if he'd wanted to.

Damnit. But he really was an idiot to give in to such ridiculous thoughts.

Across the room, IIyana stands just beneath the threshold, fidgeting with her hands. She was thankful that the shadows hide her from his intense stare. Her gaze traced all six feet of stubborn elven glory, muscled lines hidden beneath homespun wool, and now fell upon his lips, which were well-shaped but held too rigid. She looked beyond the lips that did not smile and saw... a softness there... a curiosity and warmth that had not been there a week ago.

A softness, she hated to admit, that sent her heart racing.

The only explanation IIyana could provide for her unexpected response was that Solas had saved her life twice now. The first was when she was found unconscious at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. The second, when he found her in the Fade after the fall of Haven.

The memory of the last event still burned in her mind and was the reason why she sought him out in the first place.

Relieved that she had an explanation for her unsettling emotions, IIyana stepped into the rotunda. "Hello, Solas," she greets.

Her voice was soft and gentle as it carried across the room and he managed a simple hello in response.

IIyana waited for a rebuttal and when it didn't come, she crossed the room and made her way to where Solas stood by his desk.

Immediately, he began to panic, his heart racing a mile a minute, and he clasped his hands behind his back, biting the side of his cheek to control his reaction.

"I'm sorry," IIyana said, noting his frown. "Am I interrupting?"

Solas looked startled. "Yes - I was in the middle of --" At the look of IIyana's disappointed face, his heart leaped. "I mean, no." He added quickly." No, you are not interrupting. The research can wait."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm quite sure."

Her mouth rounded into an, 'oh', then to his surprise, a small blush crested her lovely cheeks, lighting her vallaslin on fire. "I was passing by and thought you would like to join me for a walk, perhaps on the battlements." She rambles, annoyed that her question sounded more like a statement.

"Why?"

Her eyes widened and he regretted his reply immediately. He knew he'd offended her, had seen the fire blazed behind her eyes before it was quickly replaced with a cool, stern look of contempt.

Damnit, will he never learn?

Chiding herself for seeking Solas out, especially when she knew it wasn't a good idea, IIyana sniffed and put her chin in the air. "You don't have to, Solas. I was only asking if you'd like to."